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Friday newspaper round-up: Arm, UK hotels, Rolls-Royce
The $75bn takeover of Cambridge-based chip designer Arm by its rival Nvidia is in jeopardy after US regulators followed the UK and Europe in moving to block “the largest semiconductor chip merger in history”. The Federal Trade Commission has sued to stop the takeover of Arm, which has ballooned in value from $40bn to $75bn since the offer was made last September due to a stock market surge in the chip sector, as seemingly almost insurmountable opposition now mounts after regulator action in Europe and the UK.
Europe close: Shares down on mixed US jobs report, Omicron concerns
European shares finished the week on a down note, weighed down by concern about the prospect for faster than expected interest rate hikes across the Pond and a much weaker than expected reading on the US jobs market for November.
Week ahead: Omicron updates, US inflation in the spotlight
All eyes over the coming week will be on updates from the World Health Organisation and South African officials regarding the latest findings on the Omicron variant of Covid-19, with the former expected on Monday.
London close: Stocks turn weaker as US payrolls fall short
London stocks reversed their fortunes to close weaker on Friday, as investors digested a set of non-farm payroll numbers from across the pond that surprised to the downside.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week 78. 29 points higher, closing at 7,122. 32 on Friday.
Broker tips: Qinetiq, BP
Analysts at Berenberg lowered their target price on defence technology company QinetiQ from 415. 0p to 330. 0p on Friday, but reiterated their 'buy' rating on the firm's shares despite branding it the "worst-performing defence stock" in its coverage so far this year.
ISM's non-manufacturing PMI hits another fresh record high in November
The Institute of Supply Management non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at percent 69. 1 in November, up from 66. 7 a month earlier to a fresh record high.
Director dealings: STM CEO makes share purchase
STM Group revealed on Friday that chief executive Alan Kentish had acquired 300,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed financial services provider.
FTSE 250 movers: Rotork, housebuilders gain
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 3% at 22,624. 47 in afternoon trade on Friday.
FTSE 100 movers: BP boosted by upgrade; Ocado in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 7,137. 66 in afternoon trade on Friday as investors mulled the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
US open: Stocks trade lower following November NFP report
Wall Street stocks were in the red early on Friday, with a volatile week for markets continuing as market participants digested November's non-farm payrolls report.
Two Hutchmed drugs included in China's 2022 reimbursement list
Hutchmed China announced on Friday that, following negotiations with the China National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), from 1 January the updated National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) will continue to include ‘Elunate’, or fruquintinib, and would now include ‘Sulanda’, or surufatinib.
Anpario granted UK patent for phytogenic animal feed product
Animal feed additive manufacturer Anpario has been granted a UK patent for its phytogenic product ‘Orego-Stim’, it announced on Friday.
Non-farm payrolls surprise to the downside in November
The US economy added less jobs than expected throughout November, indicating that hiring had already started to slow before the emergence of the Covid-19 omicron variant.
Sensyne signs five-year patient data deal with Cambridge NHS trust
Clinical artificial intelligence (AI) company Sensyne Health has signed a five-year, non-exclusive strategic research agreement with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, it announced on Friday.
Ofgem launches review into energy firms' responses to Storm Arwen
Ofgem has launched an investigation into power firms' responses to Storm Arwen as it removed a limit on compensation for thousands of Britons impacted by associated power cuts.
Chariot raises over £7m to fund well and gas sales work
Africa-focussed energy company Chariot announced on Friday that it has conditionally raised gross proceeds of $9. 5m (£7. 1m) to fund its ongoing well and gas sales agreement work.
Ncondezi subsidiary offloads Mozambique asset to focus on core project
Ncondezi Energy announced on Friday that its wholly-owned subsidiary Ncondezi Green Power has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Green Energy SPV, selling group company Mozambique Green Power (MGP) for $1. 3m.
Berenberg lowers target price on Qinetiq
Analysts at Berenberg lowered their target price on defence technology company QinetiQ from 415. 0p to 330. 0p on Friday, but reiterated their 'buy' rating on the firm's shares despite branding it the "worst-performing defence stock" in its coverage so far this year.
Deliveroo, Delivery Hero fall on potential EU labour rules change
Food delivery firms Deliveroo and Delivery Hero were under the cosh on Friday following a report that people working for such companies could be reclassified as employees under a European Union labour rights plan.